Can You Tell If You Have Cancer Just by Looking at Your Fingernails? [1-Minute Health Check]

) Today, we'll be focusing on the "fingernails." Nails are typically smooth and light-colored, with the extended portions turning white. However, changes in nail color or shape can indicate a health problem. Let's explore five health warning signs your nails can reveal.

◇Black vertical lines under the fingernails → melanoma

 

Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, can also develop on fingernails. If you notice vertical black lines under your nails or your nails turn black, you should be suspicious. This is because melanoma may develop when the skin's melanocyte cells mutate. The cause of melanoma is unknown, but genetics and environmental factors, such as exposure to ultraviolet rays, are known to play a role. People with fair skin, blue eyes, and light hair are particularly at risk if they are exposed to ultraviolet rays for extended periods. In addition to vertical black lines under your nails, melanoma should also be suspected if: 1) a dark red spot appears on the skin without any bumps or external irritants; 2) a spot has irregular borders that spread.

 

◇If your fingernails are pale blue → Respiratory or liver disease

 

If your fingernails are unusually white or pale blue, you should suspect respiratory or liver disease. Respiratory disease can prevent normal breathing, leading to a lack of oxygen in the body. This can lead to poor blood flow to the fingertips, causing the nails to appear white or blue. White nails in liver disease are caused by jaundice. Jaundice causes a relative decrease in the hemoglobin content in the blood, resulting in a white appearance. Hemoglobin is a reddish protein that carries oxygen in the blood.

 

◇If the tips of your nails break easily → Hyperthyroidism

 

Brittle nails are a major symptom of hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which excessive thyroid hormone production leads to an overactive metabolism. This can lead to brittle nails or onycholysis, where the nails separate from the underlying skin. Other causes include a vitamin B7 (biotin) deficiency or protein deficiency. Protein is a major component of nails. Biotin plays a role in protein metabolism in the body and is essential for maintaining normal nail health.

◇If the nail surface is uneven → Psoriasis

 

A wavy, bumpy appearance on the nail surface could be a symptom of psoriasis. Psoriasis causes the nail bed to dry out, preventing it from maintaining its shape and causing it to grow unevenly. While the cause of psoriasis is unclear, it is believed to stem from an imbalance in the immune system. When T cells, among other immune cells, become activated, they secrete various inflammatory substances, stimulating the proliferation of keratinocytes. While psoriasis is difficult to cure, if left untreated, it can lead to other conditions like arthritis or depression, so proper treatment is essential.

 

◇If the area around the nail is swollen → inflammatory reaction

 

If the skin around the nail is swollen or red, it indicates an inflammatory response. If there's no specific wound, it could be due to an autoimmune disease like lupus. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, where the body's immune system, which normally defends itself from external threats, malfunctions and attacks itself. This disease causes inflammation throughout the body, including the skin, nerves, kidneys, and lungs. While lupus is difficult to cure, symptoms can be alleviated with consistent treatment.

 

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My fingernails tend to break easily.

There might be a problem with your thyroid.